Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’, particularly characterized by having a high proportion of marketable fruit of the overall yield and flavor, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ was discovered in Ventura County, Calif. in November of 2009 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘516Q53’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in 2009.

‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Santa Barbara County, Calif. for six years (2011 to 2016). The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Santa Barbara County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Small, vivid red fruit with an almost cylindrical shape;     -   2. Flat globose plant habit; and     -   3. Mid-season harvest maturity.

‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ was selected for its high proportion of marketable fruit of the overall yield and its flavor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 13 weeks old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

FIG. 3 illustrates upper surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

FIG. 4 illustrates lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

FIG. 5A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ with three leaflets. FIG. 5B shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ with three leaflets.

FIG. 6 illustrates the overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Santa Barbara County, Calif. from 2011 to 2016. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ was taken from plants that were 13 weeks old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFiftySix’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘516Q53’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—21.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—35.4 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—4.         -   Habit.—Flat globose. -   Terminal leaflets:     -   -   Length.—8.5 cm.         -   Width.—8.8 cm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.0.         -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—18.         -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS NN137D (Greyish olive-green).             Lower surface: RHS 147B (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.         -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Shape.—Obicular.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Margin profile.—Cupped.         -   Variegation.—Present. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—12.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—8.52 mm.         -   Pose of hairs.—Slightly upwards.         -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Bract frequency (number present on each petiole).—0. -   Petiolule:     -   -   Length.—12.99 mm.         -   Diameter.—7.24 mm.         -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green). -   Stipule:     -   -   Length.—3.4 cm.         -   Width.—14.42 mm.         -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Present. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—10.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present. Color: RHS 173A (Dark             reddish orange).         -   Diameter at bract.—0.15 mm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Level with.         -   Flower diameter.—26.60 mm.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—2.60.         -   Petals.—Shape: Obicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:             Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Touching. Length:             8.95 mm. Width: 10.14 mm. Length/width ratio: 0.9. Petal             number per flower: 5. Color (upper surface): RHS 157D             (Greenish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter: 29.33 mm. Insertion of calyx: In a basin —             inserted. Pose of calyx segments: Reflexed — upwards.         -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire.             Length: 10.66 mm. Width: 5.65 mm. Sepal number: 12.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 1A (Brilliant greenish yellow).         -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 13A (Vivid yellow).         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Early.         -   Flowering interval.—February to September. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length.—25.8 cm.         -   Diameter at base of truss.—5.06 mm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—6.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Erect.         -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 151A (Strong greenish yellow). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—37.82 mm.         -   Width.—39.31 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.0.         -   Fruit hollow length.—5.21 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—3.53 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.5.         -   Fruit weight.—27.6 g.         -   Predominant fruit shape.—Almost cylindrical.         -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 45B (Vivid red).         -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Below surface. Coloration             (sunward side of berry): RHS 58A (Moderate purplish red).             Coloration (shaded side of berry): RHS 154C (Brilliant             yellow-green).         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N155D (Yellowish             white).         -   Color of core.—RHS 41C (Moderate reddish orange).         -   Number of achenes per berry.—283.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Type of bearing.—Fully everbearing — fully remontant.         -   Harvest maturity (beginning of fruit ripening when 50% of             plants have ripe fruit).—Mid-season.         -   Harvest interval.—March to September.         -   Production.—643.852 grams/plant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ is compared to the female parent ‘516Q53’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ produces a higher yield of fruit with a shorter shelf-life, and that is sweeter than ‘516Q53’.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ is compared to the male parent ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506), ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ produces a lower yield of fruit with a higher proportion of marketable fruit and that is sweeter than ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ reaches harvest maturity at mid-season, while ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ reaches harvest maturity late in the season.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,317), ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ produces fruit that is smaller and has a lighter red color than ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ produces plants with a flat globose plant habit and produces fruit with an almost cylindrical shape, while ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ produces plants with an upright plant habit and produces fruit with a conical shape. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftySix’ as shown and described herein. 